i /)3  C^yCJ  / 

(i  r ; 


HISTOEY 


W . 'SI 


OF  THE 


Young  Men’s  Association, 


•1TI 


WITH 


LISTS  OF  OFFICERS,  <fcc. 


FROM  ITS  COMMENCEMENT  IN  1834  TO  THE 
PRESENT  TIME. 


BY  F.  H.  STEVEN 


TROY,  N.  Y. 

DAILY  TIMES  STEAM  PRINTING  HOUSE,  209  AND  211  RIYER-ST. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/historyofyoungme00stev_0 


377.3 

stJL 


THE  YOUNG  MEN’S  ASSOCIATION. 


ITS  HISTORY  FROM  ITS  ORGANIZATION  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


i 


All  things  have  tlieir  prototype  in  that  terse  but  sublime  declara- 
tion of  the  writer  of  Genesis — “ The  earth  was  without  form,  and  void  ; 
and  darkness  was  upon  the  face  of  the  deep  : and  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters.  And  God  said  ‘ Let  there  be  light,’ 
and  there  was  light.”  There  is  a time  when  we  can  say  respecting  all 
things  created,  they  are  not ; soon,  by  the  plastic  art  of  man,  or  by  the 
impress  of  his  intellect  upon  the  vague,  chaotic  materials  about  him, 
new  creations  come  forth — they  exist — “ there  is  light.”  It  often  needs 
but  a suggestion  to  galvanize  into  life  the  dormant  ideas  which  slum- 
ber so  quietly  in  the  brain  of  the  masses  of  the  people,  and  which 
would  forever  remain  undeveloped,  like  the  grains  of  wheat  in  the 
mummy  cases  of  Egypt,  did  not  some  more  active  mind  desecrate  their 
hallowed  resting  place  and  turn  them  towards  the  light  of  progress, 
vJfeliat  they  may  fructify,  and  bless  humanity  with  their  saving  and 
health-giving  influence. 


The  formation  of  the  Troy  Young  Men’s  Association  makes  no  ex- 
ception to  the  above  principle,  for  it  is  said  to  have  had  its  origin  from 
T suggestions  made  by  Dr.  N.  S.  S.  Beman,  in  a sermon  preached  from 
the  words,  “ I speak  to  you  young  men  because  ye  are  strong.” 
Doubtless  the  necessity  of  providing  for  the  intellectual  cultivation  of 
the  young  men  among  the  citizens  of  Troy,  had  often  been  meditated 
upon  by  thoughtful  men  in  their  midst,  but  there  needed  to  be  a public 
expression  of  their  idea  in  order  to  have  concerted  effort  for  the  desired 
object.  Accordingly  there  appeared  in  the  city  papers  of  November 
27,  1834,  the  following  notice  : “ The  young  men  of  the  city  of  Troy 
who  are  in  favor  of  a public  course  of  lectures  this  winter  are  requested 
to  meet  at  the  Mayor’s  Court  Room,  Friday  evening,  28th  inst.,  at  eight 
o’clock,  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements.  At  the  same  time  the 
expediency  of  forming  a Young  Men’s  Association  will  be  discussed.” 
That  there  was  considerable  interest  manifested  in  the  project  is 
evinced  by  the  fact  that  the  meeting  held  pursuant  to  the  above 
call  was  largely  attended.  The  officers  of  that  meeting  were  John 
T.  McCoun,  President,  and  Alexander  McCall,  Secretary.  The  object 
of  coming  together  was  stated  by  Thaddeus  B.  Bigelow.  Before 
closing,  a committee  was  appointed  under  a resolution,  “ to  take 
into  consideration  the  expediency  and  practicability  of  forming  a 


4 


Young  Men’s  Association,”  and  instructed  to  report  at  a subsequent 
meeting.  That  committee  was  composed  of  the  following  gentle- 
men : Giles  B.  Kellogg,  Thomas  Coleman,  Martin  I.  Townsend,  R. 
Hawley  and  Thaddeus  B.  Bigelow.  They  reported  on  the  evening  of 
the  12th  of  December,  at  which  time,  also,  a draft  of  a Constitution  for 
an  Association  was  presented  and,  after  slight  amendments,  accepted. 
A committee  of  five  persons  from  each  of  the  first  four  Wards  of  the 
city  was  then  appointed  to  obtain  signatures  to  the  Constitution,  viz  : 

First  Ward — Alfred  Sleason,  Thaddeus  B.  Bigelow,  Charles  Hooper, 
I.  R.  Catlin,  and  Charles  E.  Seymour. 

Second  Ward  — Francis  N.  Mann,  Gilbs  B.  Kellogg,  G.  H.  Tracy, 
Harvey  Warner,  and  G.  W.  Francis. 

Third  Ward — John  C.  Kemble,  Alexander  McCall,  Ralph  Hawley, 
W.  H.  Van  Schoonhoven,  and  Thomas  Coleman. 

Fourth  Ward — C.  Deming,  William  Hagen,  Jared  S.  Weed,  Henry 
T.  Eddy,  and  S.  Burrows. 

A week  later,  the  committee,  after  an  active  canvass  of  the  city, 
reported  and  published  in  the  city  papers,  the  names  of  426  signers  of 
the  Constitution.  A meeting  of  these  signers  was  held  on  the  evening 
of  the  19th  of  December  at  the  Court  House,  at  which  John  T.  McCoun 
was  elected  President  under  the  Constitution,  to  hold  office  until  the 
Annual  Meeting  in  February  following.  A committee  was  also  appoint- 
ed to  nominate  persons  for  the  remaining  offices.  This  committee 
reported  at  the  Court  House  on  the  evening  of  the  22d  of  December. 
As  soon  as  the  report  was  read,  the  members  proceeded  to  ballot  for 
officers  to  serve  until  the  Annual  Meeting.  The  following  persons 
were  elected : 

First  Vice-President — David  L.  Seymour. 

Second  Vice-President — Henry  Landon. 

Third  Vice-President — Thomas  Coleman. 

Recording  Secretary — John  T.  Lamport. 

Corresponding  Secretary — Giles  B.  Kellogg. 

Treasurer — Charles  E.  Seymour. 

DEBATING  SOCIETY. 

President— George  Gould. 

First  Vice-President — George  W.  Francis. 

Second  Vice-President — Henry  T.  Eddy. 

Secretary — Ralph  Hawley. 

Managers — Wm.  H.  Van  Schoonhoven,  Isaac  J.  Merritt, 
Henry  Rousseau,  Jared  S.  Weed,  John  S.  Perry,  Levinus  Van- 

DERHEYDEN,  LORENZO  CADWELL,  BRIGHAM  L.  EATON,  HARVEY 

Warner,  Lorenzo  D.  Baker. 

The  first  rooms  occupied  by  the  Association  were  opened  at  No.  197 
River  Street. 


5 


In  the  Budget  of  February  10th,  1 835,  there  appears  a notice  that 
these  rooms  would  be  open  to  the  public  until  February  17th,  after 
which  none  but  members,  and  non-residents  introduced  by  them,  could 
have  access  to  the  privileges  of  the  Association. 

The  first  Annual  Meeting  under  the  Constitution  took  place  on  Mon- 
day, Feb.  16th,  1835,  at  which  time  the  Association  numbered  about 
450  members.  Subsequently  other  names  were  added,  so  that  at  the 
end  of  the  year  there  were  476  members,  including  thirty-three  Life 
members.  The  Library  then  contained  about  1200  vols.,  counting  in 
* 600  or  700  vols.  loaned  by  the  “ Troy  Library.” 

On  the  10tli  of  March,  a petition  was  presented  to  the  Senate  by  Mr. 
John  C.  Kemble  to  incorporate  the  Troy  Young  Men’s  Association.  It 
t passed  to  a third  reading  April  10th,  and  became  a law  April  20th,  1835. 

A course  of  lectures  had  already  been  provided,  and  a Debating 
Society  established.  Thus  the  Association  entered  upon  its  career, 
freighted  with  the  fond  hopes  of  its  projectors,  and  dependent  upon  the 
liberality  of  Trojans  for  its  support  and  ultimate  success.  How  they 
have  sustained  it  may  be  gathered  from  following  its  Subsequent 
history. 

Among  the  lecturers  before  the  Association  in  1835  may  be  mention- 
ed the  names  of  Rev.  N.  S.  S.  Beman,  Rev.  W.  D.  Snodgrass,  Prof.  A. 
Potter  of  Union  College,  Hon.  John  D.  Willard,  and  Hon.  Jesse  Buel  of 
Albany.  The  estimated  value  of  property  belonging  to  the  Association 
at  the  beginning  of  1836,  including  furniture,  books  and  papers,  was 
$1,000.  Besides,  there  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  and  invested 
in  securities,  the  sum  of  $2,750.83,  making  a total  of  $3,750.83. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  in  February,  1836,  an  application  was  made 
to  amend  four  articles  of  the  Constitution,  and  to  add  two  new  ones. 
First — To  fix,  by  Constitution,  the  commencement  of  the  fiscal  year. 
Second — To  equalize  the  benefits  of  the  institution  among  its  patrons. 
At  this  time  the  Constitution  confined  the  term  of  membership  between 
the  ages  of  fourteen  and  forty.  A regular  member  paid  $3  for  the  first 
year  of  his  membership  and  $2  for  each  succeeding  year,  which  con- 
ferred upon  him  all  the  privileges  of  the  Association  ; while,  if  he  was 
under  forty  years  of  age,  and  paid  $5  per  year,  or  $50,  though  he  re- 
ceived a certificate  of  honorary,  or  life  membership,  he  was  deprived  of 
* the  right  of  voting  and  of  acting  in  any  official  capacity.  Thus,  the 

less  a man  paid  the  more  privileges  he  received — a principle  obviously 
unjust,  and  which  could  not  have  best  conserved  the  interests  of  the 
Association.  Third — Another  object  was  to  provide  for  paying  $50  for 
a “ Life  Certificate,”  in  installments,  so  that  that  amount  paid  in  this 
way  should  be  equal  to  the  same  sum  paid  in  advance. 

The  wants  of  the  society  required  more  room,  which  was  procured, 
the  rent  of  the  whole  costing  $250  per  annum. 


6 


There  were  on  file  in  the  Reading  Room,  during  this  year  (1836), 
one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  newspapers  and  nineteen  periodicals,  at 
an  expense  of  $282.  Several  sections  of  the  By-Laws  were  stricken 
out ; and  under  the  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  adopted  at  the  last 
Annual  Meeting,  the  Executive  Committee  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion : 

Resolved , That  any  person  becoming  a member  after  the  1st  day  of  May,  and 
before  the  1st  day  of  September,  in  any  year,  shall  be  compelled  to  pay  for  his  mem- 
bership for  such  current  year  (in  addition  to  the  $1  iniation  fee,  which  is  in  all  cases 
to  be  paid),  the  sum  of  $1.50,  and  a person  becoming  a member  after  the  1st  day  of 
September  in  any  year,  shall  pay  for  such  membership  (besides  the  iniation  fee)  the 
sum  of  $1. 

September  1st,  1836,  Mr.  G.  B.  Kellogg,  who  had  been  elected 
Corresponding  Secretary,  resigned  his  office,  and  Henry  W.  Strong 
was  chosen  in  his  place.  The  19th  of  the  same  month,  the  President, 
T.  B.  Bigelow,  resigned,  and  George  Gould  was  called  to  that  office. 
Other  changes  also  occurred  in  the  Executive  Board.  Mr.  Wm.  Hagen, 
who  was  appointed  Librarian  January  6th,  1835,  and  the  first  one  who 
served  the  Association  in  that  capacity,  was  re-appointed  to  that  office 
at  a salary  of  $380,  reserving  to  himself  the  privilege  of  representing 
during  the  year  the  inadequacy  of  that  salary,  and  asking  for  such  an 
increase  as  might  be  deemed  appropriate. 

A rule  was  established  by  the  lecture  committee  to  close  the  doors 
of  the  lecture  room  at  8£  o’clock  ; the  object  of  it  being  to  prevent 
annoyance  by  persons  going  in  and  out  during  the  lecture.  This  rule 
was  approved  by  the  Executive  Committee  at  a special  meeting  held 
January  22d,  1838.  Thanks  were  voted  to  Mr.  Myron  King  for  a beau- 
tiful engraved  copper-plate  for  the  lecture  tickets. 

At  the  annual  election  which  occurred  in  February,  1838,  there  was 
great  excitement  on  account  of  the  number  of  nominated  tickets  pre- 
sented for  the  suffrages  of  the  Association.  Two  of  them  claimed  to 
be  the  “ First  Regularly  Nominated  Ticket.”  Besides,  there  were  the 
“ Young  Men’s  Ticket  ” and  the  “ Stump  Ticket.”  The  first  opposition 
ticket  was  really  nominated  in  1836,  though  each  called  itself  the 
“ First  Regularly  Nominated  Ticket.”  In  the  third  Annual  Report, 
submitted  February  19,  1838,  the  committee  allude  to  the  disposition 
which  should  be  made  of  the  “ Life  Fund.”  It  seems  that  some  of  the 
previous  officers  of  the  institution  had  held  that  a part  of  this  fund 
should  be  applied  to  increase  the  number  of  books  in  the  library.  The 
present  Committee  record  their  opinion  that  it  should  not  be  so  applied, 
“except  in  cases  of  imperious  necessity.”  They  say  in  regard  to  the 
Association  : “It  must  have  the  means  of  life  ; and  its  current  expenses, 
as  a general  rule,  should  be  met  by  its  current  receipts.  In  extraordi- 
nary circumstances  only,  should  the  payment  of  what  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  sustain  it,  and  keep  it  alive,  be  made  to  depend  upon  un- 


7 


certain  and  casual  donations,  or  moneys  to  be  raised  by  subscription.” 
Thus  early  in  the  history  of  the  Association,  a want  was  experienced 
which  has  not  ceased  to  be  felt  by  its  friends  to  the  present  time. 

During  this  year  the  freedom  of  the  Association  was  tendered  to  the 
“ Detroit  Young  Men’s  Society,”  the  “ Young  Men’s  Association  of 
Schenectady,”  the  “Mercantile  Library  Association  of  the  City  of  New 
York,”  and  the  “ Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  County  of  Rensselaer.” 

In  October  and  November,  1837,  three  officers,  viz  : the  First  and 
Second  Vice-Presidents  and  the  Recording  Secretary,  resigned,  and  their 
places  were  filled,  respectively,  by  Amos  W.  Perry,  Uri  Gilbert  and  A. 
J.  Brackett. 

At  the  beginning  of  1838,  Mr.  Hagen,  Librarian,  had  his  salary 
raised  to  $400 — being  an  increase  of  $20  over  the  preceding  year.  The 
Committee  for  that  year  report  that  when  they  entered  upon  their  offi- 
cial duties  they  found  everything  in  confusion  ; a considerable  number 
of  the  books  was  not  in  condition  to  be  used  until  rebound  ; no  regularity 
in  the  manner  of  taking  them  out ; no  catalogue  of  them,  nor  even  a list 
of  their  names.  The  first  thing,  therefore,  which  they  did,  was  to  call 
in  all  the  books,  prepare  a catalogue  of  such  as  could  be  found,  and  pro- 
cure the  rebinding  of  those  absolutely  in  need  of  it.  The  complaint 
was  raised  that  there  were  no  books  to  be  had — all  that  were  worth 
reading  were  constantly  out,  &c. — (a  complaint  which  has  not  yet  ceased 
with  a certain  class  of  fossilized  novel  readers).  Accordingly,  a special 
committee  was  raised  to  canvass  the  city  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
subscriptions  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  members.  They  met  with  but 
little  encouragement.  Some  were  unwilling  to  give ; others  were 
indifferent.  The  very  ones  who  complained  the  most,  did  least  for  its 
support.  It  seems  to  be  true  that  many  persons  think  the  rest  of  the 
world  owes  them  a living  “ free  gratis.”  However,  by  dint  of  great  ex- 
ertion, the  committee  succeeded  in  raising  $367,  which,  expended  for 
books,  gave  about  three  hundred  volumes  to  the  Library.  The  Com. 
mittee  also  report  that  the  arrangement  of  the  books  was  such  that 
they  were  not  secure.  They  very  politely  say  that  “some  members 
had  forgotten  to  return  books  that  they  had  taken  icithout  notice  to  the 
Librarian .”  I presume  they  meant  to  say,  in  plain  English,  that  the 
books  were  stolen.  About  1-18  of  the  whole  number  was  conveyed 
away  in  this  manner.  Of  all  thieves  those  who  steal  books  from  a pub- 
lic libiary  are  the  most  despicable.  1 am  glad  to  say  that  the  Young 
Men’s  Association  of  Troy  does  not  now,  nor  has  it  for  many  years,  ex- 
perienced any  loss  from  such  a source.  The  most  the  members  do  now 
is  to  mutilate  newspapers  in  the  Reading  Room — a very  reprehensible 
practice,  however,  and  one  which  the  present  Executive  Committee  has 
decided  to  meet  with  the  infliction  of  proper  penalties. 

A new  set  oi  rules  for  the  Library  was  framed  this  year.  Hon. 
George  Tibbitts  offered  the  Executive  Committee  a lot  of  ground, 


8 


seventy-five  feet  front  and  rear  by  one  hundred  feet  deep,  next  north  of 
the  door-yard  of  his  mansion  (the  lot  valued  at  $8,000),  on  condition 
that  the  Association  would,  within  two  years,  place  on  it  a building 
worth  $7,500,  to  be  used  for  the  purposes  of  the  Association  and  Lyceum. 

But  the  committee  report  that  “ not  being  in  any  condition  to  accept  this 
proposition,  they  were  obliged  to  decline  a present  compliance  with  it.” 

A resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Executive  Board  to  change  the  Con- 
stitution in  regard  to  the  yearly  dues — making  them  $3  instead  of  $2. 

During  the  progress  of  the  Annual  Meeting,  $1,800  were  subscribed  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Association — the  result  of  a strong  appeal  from  the  *> 

Executive  Committee  Besides,  new  life  was  infused  into  its  affairs  by 
the  nomination  of  no  less  than  eight  tickets  to  be  supported  at  the  elec- 
tion of  1839-40.  The  name  of  Isaac  J.  Merritt  stood  at  the  head  of  three 
of  them  ; that  of  James  M.  Stevenson  of  four,  and  Silas  K.  Stow’s  name 
led  the  other. 

A vote  was  taken  during  the  preceding  year  upon  the  resolution  of 
amendment  to  the  Constitution,  increasing  the  price  of  membership, 
which  resulted  as  follows  : — for  the  resolution,  212  ; against  it,  86.  In 
view  of  the  smallness  of  the  vote,  the  committee  did  not  consider  it 
best  to  recommend  the  amendment  at  the  Annual  Meeting.  It  had  been 
proposed,  as  a substitute,  “ to  require  a small  sum — a dollar,  perhaps — 
for  tickets  admitting  members  to  the  lectures.”  Niles’  Register,  a very 
valuable  work  of  reference,  was  purchased  during  the  year  1839.  It 
covers  the  period  of  our  country’s  history  from  1811  to  1836.  Two 
tickets  were  nominated  for  1840-1,  headed  by  James  M.  Stevenson  and 
T.  A.  Earned.  On  the  lecture  course  of  this  year  we  observe  the  names 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Snodgrass,  Rev.  R.  Cookson,  Giles  B.  Kellogg,  Esq.,  George 
Gould,  Esq.,  and  Henry  W.  Strong,  of  Troy. 

At  a special  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee,  held  March  5th, 

1840,  it  was  resolved  to  appoint  special  district  committees  to  solicit  the 
renewal  of  such  former  members  of  the  Association  as  had  omitted  to 
renew  their  membership,  and  as  many  honorary  and  regular  members 
as  they  could.  And  at  a similar  meeting,  on  the  10th  of  December,  1840, 
it  was  resolved  to  circulate  (in  addition  to  the  above  effort)  special  sub- 
scription papers,  having  the  following  form  : — “ The  subscribers,  mem- 
bers of  the  Troy  Young  Men’s  Association,  for  the  purpose  of  increasing 
the  funds  of  said  Association,  agree  to  pay  (in  lieu  of  the  ordinary  an- 
nual dues),  to  its  Treasurer,  or  his  order,  the  sum  of dollars  on  1 

the  first  day  of  December,  in  each  year  hereafter  ; it  being  understood 
that  we  have  the  privilege  of  discontinuance,  on  leaving  a written  re- 
quest to  that  effect  with  the  Treasurer,  at  least  two  months  previous  to 
the  day  designated  above  for  making  the  annual  payment.” 

In  the  report  of  1841  we  find  that  the  Association  was  considerably 
embarrassed  financially  ; for,  besides  the  “Life  Fund,”  there  were  only 
$720.75  to  meet  the  current  expenses  of  the  year.  As  stated  above,  the 


9 


plan  of  increasing  tlie  annual  fee  for  regular  members  was  not  adopted, 
from  tlie  apprehension  that  many  of  limited  means  would  withdraw 
their  patronage,  to  tlie  serious  detriment  of  the  Association.  From  tlie 
“ special  subscription”  plan  before  alluded  to,  the  sum  of  $405  was  ob- 
tained as  a permanent  fund.  On  the  4th  of  February,  1841,  Mr.  Wm. 
Hagen  tendered  his  resignation  as  Librarian,  which  was  accepted,  and 
N.  B.  Milliman  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Four  tickets  were  nominated  for  1841-2,  with  the  following  gentle- 
men for  President : John  T.  Barker  and  Charles  Read. 

Through  the  advice  of  Dr.  J.  H.  Armsby  (who  had  frequently  lec- 
tured before  the  Association,  and  had  become  interested  in  its  affairs), 
the  Lecture  Committee  raised  and  collected  a subscription  sufficient  for 
f the  purchase  and  importation  of  one  of  Auzoux’s  anatomical  prepara- 

tions, at  a cost  of  $707.50.  Efforts  were  also  made  during  the  year  to 
obtain  objects  of  natural  history,  which  resulted  in  the  collection  of  a 
conchological  cabinet  containing  269  specimens,  of  which  225  were 
marine,  forty-four  land  and  fresh  water  shells — thirty-five  of  the  latter 
the  product  of  our  own  country.  In  the  mineralogical  department  there 
were  about  200  species  and  varieties.  The  Committee  also  acknowledge 
their  indebte  Iness  to  Dr.  Thomas  W.  Blatcliford  for  a valuable  donation 
of  minerals,  and  to  Dr.  Wesley  Newcomb  for  the  loan  of  a fine  and  ex- 
tensive collection  of  mineralogical  specimens. 

The  Life  Membership  Fund,  amounting  to  $1,650,  was  loaned  on 
bond  and  mortgage.  There  seems  to  have  been  much  to  discourage  the 
friends  of  the  Association,  especially  the  neglect  of  its  professed  friends 
to  renew  their  subscriptions.  All  reports  hitherto  speak  of  financial 
embarrassment,  and  make  earnest  appeals  to  the  citizens  of  Troy  to  rally 
to  the  support  of  the  Association. 

Mr.  Milliman,  Librarian,  resigned  and  GK  H.  Bull  was  appointed  in 
his  place.  On  the  9th  of  November,  1841,  a resolution  was  adopted  by 
the  Executive  Committee,  recommending  an  amendment  to  Act  12th  of 
the  Constitution,  that  honorary  members  should  thereafter  be  admitted 
on  condition  of  paying  $5  the  first  year  and  $3  annually  afterwards, 
instead  of  $5  annually. 

The  Presidents  nominated  for  1842-3  were  J.  L.  Van  Schoonlioven 
and  Thomas  Coleman.  In  the  report  for  1842,  the  committee  say  (after 
• speaking  of  the  important  and  efficient  means  placed  within  the  reach 

of  the  city  for  moral  and  intellectual  culture  through  the  Association), 
that  “ instead  of  enlarging  the  sphere  of  its  usefulness,  it  has  during 
the  past  year,  scarcely  maintained  the  favorable  position  which  it  has 
previously  occupied.  The  operations  of  the  Executive  Committee  de- 
pend mainly  for  a successful  issue,  both  in  extent  and  efficiency,  upon 
the  prompt  co-operation  of  individual  members;  and  just  in  propor- 
tion as  this  is  received  or  withheld,  will  the  interests  involved  be 
2 


10 


advanced  or  retarded.”  “It  is  founded  upon  the  general  prosperity  and 
intelligence  of  our  citizens.  The  results  have  not  justified  the  expecta- 
tions of  its  founders.” 

“ Thus  far  the  revenue  from  the  voluntary  renewal  of  memberships 
has  in  no  one  year  been  sufficient  to  meet  the  ordinary  annual  expendi- 
tures, and  the  various  committees  have  been  obliged  to  resort,  from  time 
to  time,  either  to  a loan  from  the  Life  Fund,  or  to  special  subscriptions 
to  meet  the  deficiencies  constantly  occurring.” 

Many  refused  to  renew  their  membership,  even  such  as  were  well 
able  to  do  so.  At  the  time  this  Report  was  made,  only  332  members 
had  been  enrolled  for  the  (then)  current  year.  But  very  few  additions 
were  made  to  the  “ cabinet.”  Action  was  taken  upon  the  be  stmeans 
for  inducing  persons  to  contribute  “ specimens,”  and  it  was  decided  to 
distribute  free  tickets  to  masters  of  vessels  and  others  to  visit  the  room 
devoted  to  the  cabinet,  and  efforts  were  also  made  to  interest  all  who 
were  in  the  habit  of  traveling  (friends  of  the  institution),  to  make  col- 
lections. On  account  of  the  want  of  funds  some  of  the  newspapers 
were  discontinued. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1842,  Mr.  George  H.  Bull  resigned,  and  John 
R.  Harris  was  installed  in  his  place.  Messrs.  Joseph  White  and  Thomas 
Coleman  were  candidates  for  President  for  1843-4.  Among  the  lecturers 
for  1843  were  Rev.  D.  Kennedy,  Hon.  A.  H.  Everett,  Prof.  A.  Potter, 
Prof.  E.  Hitchcock,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  B.  Sprague,  Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckoff,  Horace 
Greeley,  Dr.  T.  C.  Brinsmade,  and  Dr.  T.  W.  Blatchford. 

The  extra  efforts  made  the  previous  year  for  filling  up  the  cabinet, 
were  so  far  successful  that  from  the  Report  of  1843  we  find  it  was  in- 
creased to  1,013  specimens,  of  which  700  were  mineral,  397  of  various 
species  of  animalia,  and  sixteen  of  curiosities  and  antiquities.  The  lec- 
ture course  was  very  successful.  Eighteen  lectures  were  delivered — 
two  per  week — to  large  and  appreciative  audiences. 

To  raise  funds  for  increasing  the  number  of  volumes  in  the  Library, 
it  was  deemed  best  to  sell  the  manakin,  for  which  $500  was  received. 
By  this  means  about  300  volumes  were  added.  The  Library  then  con- 
tained about  one  volume  for  every  six  inhabitants  ; now  we  have  one 
for  every  two  and  two-tenths  inhabitants. 

Mr.  E.  S.  Morgan,  who  had  acted  as  Treasurer  of  the  Association 
since  1836,  within  one  year  of  its  existence,  resigned  his  office  and  Mr. 
Charles  P.  Heartt  was  elected  to  the  place.  Quite  a remarkable  fact 
was  recorded  this  year,  viz  : That  a quorum  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee was  present  at  every  regular  and  every  special  meeting ; which  can- 
not, probably,  be  said  of  any  other  year  in  the  history  of  the  Associa- 
tion. On  the  lecture  course  for  1844-5  were  Rev.  E.  Nott,  Rev.  M.  Hop- 
kins, Prof.  C.  B.  Haddock,  Hon.  A.  H.  Everett,  Hon.  John  A.  Dix,  Elihu 
Burritt,  and  H.  R.  Schoolcraft. 


11 


During  the  year  1844  a change  was  made  in  the  material  for,  and 
the  manner  of,  lighting  the  Reading  Room  and  Library.  Negotiations 
were  also  entered  into  between  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  offi- 
cers of  the  Troy  Savings  Bank,  with  a view  of  securing  more  suitable 
rooms  for  the  uses  of  the  Association,  in  a new  building  which  the  bank 
contemplated  erecting.  August  15th,  1844,  Mr.  John  R.  Harris  resigned 
the  Librarianship,  and  Mr.  John  H.  White  was  elected  in  his  stead,  at 
the  same  salary  as  his  predecessor — $350  per  annum. 

A special  appropriation  was  made  from  the  Association  to  procure 
} books  on  natural  history  ; also,  twenty-seven  shares  of  the  “ Troy 

Library”  were  purchased  for  $27  from  Apollo  Lodge.  These  shares 
amounted  to  more  than  one-half  of  the  whole  number  ; the  remaining 
shares,  held  by  individuals,  had  either  been  purchased  or  contributed 
» previously.  In  their  Report  for  1845,  the  committee  say  that  “ the 

Library  (by  courtesy,  so  called)  might  well  be  styled  stationary.  They 
had  expended  only  $100  for  books,  and  had  but  $8.17  then  in  the 
treasury  which  could  be  applied  to  its  increase.”  They  had  purchased 
the  Natural  History  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  had  added  Wilkes’ 
Exploring  Expedition.  Through  the  influence  of  Hon.  David  Buel, 
arrangements  were  made  with  the  Regents  of  the  University  to  fur- 
nish the  Association  with  the  “ Laws  of  the  State,”  and  also  the  “ Senate 
and  Assembly  Documents  and  Journals,”  from  1840  to  1845,  with  the 
understanding  that  we  should  be  supplied  with  a set  of  each  from  year 
to  year,  as  they  should  be  published.  This  privilege  has  been  contin- 
ued, and  now  we  have  hardly  room  to  accommodate  the  accumulations 
from  that  source. 

In  regard  to  the  Debating  Society,  the  Committee  report  that  “ it 
has  been  of  doubtful  utility.  Yet  it  is  so  capable  of  being  made  a source 
of  mental  culture  that  your  Committee  hesitate  to  abandon  it.  They 
would  rather  commend  it  to  your  wisdom  to  determine  if  there  be  not 
some  way  in  which  this  branch  may  be  trained  to  reach  its  due  propor- 
tions.” They  also  recommend  the  giving  up  of  one  lecture  per  week, 
and  substituting  in  its  place  a debate  on  some  question  suggested  by 
the  lecture  of  the  preceding  evening. 

The  Natural  History  department  having  received  no  additions  this 
year,  and  considering  the  little  interest  manifested  in  it  by  the  citizens, 
together  with  the  great  expense  and  trouble  attending  the  collecting 
t and  preserving  of  specimens,  it  was  deemed  best  to  transfer  it  to  the 

Troy  Lyceum — such  transfer  taking  place  upon  the  removal  of  the 
Association  to  its  new  rooms. 

Mr.  John  H.  White  resigned  the  position  of  Librarian  September 
f 15th,  1845,  and  Mr.  Wm.  Robertson  was  chosen  to  the  vacancy  for  the 

unexpired  term — to  April,  1846. 

The  gentlemen  nominated  for  President  for  1856  were  A.  K.  Hadley 
and  William  Hagen. 


12 


At  the  inauguration  of  the  new  Board  ot  Officers,  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolution  was  offered  by  W.  M.  Watson  : 

Whereas,  The  friends  of  the  Young  Men’s  Association  have  witnessed,  with 
deep  regret,  pending  the  recent  election,  the  publication,  in  two  of  the  newspapers 
of  this  city,  of  certain  tickets  of  a disreputable  character  and  of  a tendency  to 
inflict  deep  and  lasting  injury  on  the  Association  ; 

Resolved , That  the  members  of  this  Association  do  earnestly  protest  against 
the  nomination  of  similar  tickets  hereafter,  and  request  the  publishers  of  news- 
papers in  this  city  to  prohibit  them,  if  nominated,  in  their  columns.” 

On  the  4th  of  June,  1846,  Mr.  Henry  P.  Filer  was  nominated  to  the 
office  of  Librarian,  in  place  of  William  Robertson,  superseded. 

The  Life  Membership  fee  was  reduced  from  $50  to  $30.  In  the 
Report  for  1847  we  find  the  demand  for  books  increasing — the  number 
of  members  being  about  double  that  of  the  previous  year. 

In  1848,  oil,  for  the  lighting  of  the  rooms,  was  superseded  by  the 
substitution  of  gas.  About  this  time  a new  source  of  anxiety  arose, 
viz.,  how  to  support  the  lecture  course.  Hitherto  many  of  the  distin- 
guished gentlemen  who  had  lectured  before  the  Association  had  done 
so  gratuitously ; now  the  time  had  come  when  they  could  command 
compensation  for  their  services,  and  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  they 
would  be  willing  to  give  the  product  of  their  brains  without  an  equiv- 


nt.  This  want  was  met,  however,  and  a paying  course  of  lectures 
as  become  a distinctive  feature  of  the  institution. 

In  the  year  1849  we  find  it  recorded  that  “ the  late  James  Dana, 
sq.,  by  his  will,  made  the  Association  a conditional  bequest,  to  be 
appropriated  to  the  improvement  of  the  Library.  As  no  notice  is  made 
of  such  a bequest  in  any  subsequent  Report,  it  is  presumed  that  the 
conditions  were  not  fulfilled.  Notice  was  given  for  changing  the  time 
of  the  Annual  Meetings  from  the  third  Monday  of  February  to  the 
second  Tuesday  of  December — all  the  officers  to  enter  upon  their 
respective  duties  the  next  Monday  succeeding  their  election,  except  the 
Corresponding  Secretary,  who  should  date  his  term  of  office  from  March 
1st — subsequently  changed  to  April  1st.  The  committee  congratulate 
the  members  upon  the  flourishing  condition  of  the  Association.  A new 
catalogue  was  prepared  in  1850,  in  which  the  books  were  arranged 
alphabetically,  under  appropriate  heads.  There  seems  to  have  bee 
considerable  interest  excited  about  this  time  in  the  affairs  of  the  As 
ciation,  since,  in  the  year  1851,  we  find  six  tickets  in  the  field.  Tti 
result  proved  that  the  “ regulars”  were  out  in  full  force,  as  they  elected 
all  but  three  of  their  ticket. 

The  fortunes  of  the  Debating  Society  have  changed  considerably 
for,  while  in  the  Report  of  1845  that  committee  had  expressed  doubts 
of  its  utility,  the  committee  of  1851  speak  of  it  as  being  well  sustained, 
and  of  its  being  a useful  branch  of  the  Association. 

They  also  report  the  general  condition  of  the  Association  to  be  pros- 
perous, especially  the  Library  department.  And  though  in  the  sixteenth 


?■ 


13 


year  of  its  existence  it  had  accumulated  only  about  four  thousand 
volumes,  a new  impetus  had  been  given  in  this  direction  the  past  year 
by  the  creation  of  a “ Life  Membership  Library  Fund.”  This  scheme 
originated  in  the  following  resolution,  which  was  offered  in  a meeting 
of  the  Executive  Board,  on  the  9th  of  May,  1851  : 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  soliciting  subscriptions  to  this  fund  be  empow- 
ered, upon  receiving  any  subscription  of  fifty  dollars  and  upwards,  payable  in  five 
or  less  than  five  annual  installments  thereon,  to  present  each  subscriber  a ticket  of 
life  membership. 

It  was  further 

Resolved , That  the  money  raised  in  accordance  with  the  above  resolution  be 
appropriated  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  Library. 

By  this  scheme  there  was  realized  $4,800 — viz.,  one  subscription  of 
$300,  nine  of  $100  each,  and  seventy-two  of  $50  each.  During  this 
year  the  new  rooms  in  the  Athenaeum  building  were  occupied  by  the 
Association. 

In  1852  it  was  recomrrt ended  to  offer  prizes  for  original  essays  to  be 
read  at  each  meeting  of  the  Debating  Society.  The  Society  was  also 
reorganized  so  that  all  speakers  were  appointed  beforehand,  and  so  that 
no  person  should  be  allowed  to  speak  before  it  unless  a member. 

The  canvass  for  the  election  of  officers  for  1852-3  was  the  most 
exciting  of  any  in  the  history  of  the  Association.  Two  tickets  were  in 
the  field,  headed  respectively  by  George  B.  Warren,  Jr.,  and  J.  B. 
Tibbits.  The  contest  was  carried  on  with  remarkable  vigor  and  spirit, 
and  resulted  in  great  gain  to  the  treasury.  The  whole  number  of 
votes  cast  was  1,515.  Warren’s  majority,  417.  The  whole  number  of 
members  that  year  was  3,051.  The  smallness  of  the  vote  compared 
with  the  number  of  members  (each  of  whom  was  entitled  to  vote),  was 
owing  to  the  defective  manner  of  conducting  the  election — it  being 
almost  impossible  for  persons  to  reach  the  polls  without  danger  to  life 
or  limbs.  Consequently,  many  paired  off  and  went  away  without 
voting. 

In  1853  the  attendance  upon  the  lectures  was  so  large  that  it  became 
necessary  to  restrict  the  number  of  persons  to  be  admitted  on  a ticket, 
to  one  gentleman  and  one  lady.  Hitherto,  a gentleman  had  been 
allowed  to  take,  in  two  ladies  with  himself.  The  Debating  Society  was 
brought  under  criticism  again,  on  account  of  the  subjects  selected  for 
discussion — “ which  were  such  as  led  to  the  exhibition  of  strong  feel- 
ings and  prejudices,  giving  rise  to  much  rancor  and  personal  alterca- 
tion.” In  1853-4  there  were  three  tickets  in  the  field — Isaac  McConilie 
being  at  the  head  of  two,  and  Wm.  H.  Young  the  other.  Whole  num- 
ber of  votes  cast,  521.  This  was  a great  falling  off  of  votes  as  compared 
with  the  previous  year,  and  more  nearly  indicated  the  normal  condi- 
tion of  the  Association.  The  experience  of  1852-3  led  many  to  doubt 
whether  it  would  best  subserve  the  interests  of  the  Association  to  raise 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  community  to  such  an  unnatural  pitch. 


14 


The  Executive  Committee  took  occasion  to  return  thanks  to  Mr. 

Isaac  Dezouclie,  for  the  donation  of  many  valuable  and  rare  books 
relating  to  the  early  history  of  America,  and  also  for  the  taste  displayed 
in  the  carved  brackets  which  grace  the  Library  room. 

The  new  feature  of  providing  “ extra  lectures,”  and-  charging  a 
small  admittance  fee,  was  recommended  and  adopted.  A special  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  revise  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws.  That 
committee,  in  their  Report,  recommended  to  abolish  the  Debating 
Society,  urging  that  “ the  time  when  good  might  have  been  done 
through  its  agency  had  passed  ; that  the  few  meetings  which  had  been  i 

held  during  the  past  two  years,  had  awakened  no  interest  in  the  mem- 
bers generally  ; and  that  the  funds  necessary  for  its  support  ought  to 
be  applied  to  other  objects  connected  with  the  Association.”  It  was 
decided,  however,  after  due  consideration,  to  retain  that  feature  unal- 
tered. 

A committee  appointed  to  call  upon  the  former  Presidents  of  the 
Association,  requesting  them  to  present  their  daguerreotype  likenesses, 
met  with  general  success.  These  likenesses,  on  a small  scale,  have 
been  put  side  by  side  in  a large  frame,  and  now  grace  the  dark  apart- 
ment in  the  upper  portion  of  the  building,  commonly  called  a garret, 
the  only  reason  for  this  being  that,  we  have  no  room  for  them  in  the 
Library  or  Reading  Room.  These  daguerreotypes,  like  all  pictures  of 
their  kind,  have  become  somewhat  indistinct  from  the  lapse  of  time. 

Would  it  be  asking  too  much  of  the  ex-Presidents,  who  now  survive, 
to  present  the  Association  with  a medium-sized  photograph  of  them- 
selves, framed  in  plain  black  walnut  ? Some  of  the  later  ones  have 
already  done  so,  and  their  familiar  faces  look  down  upon  us  from  the 
walls  of  the  Reading  Room.  Places  can  be  found  for  such  single  pic- 
tures, though  not  for  the  large  frame  mentioned  above. 

On  the  22d  day  of  December,  1854,  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  the 
Association  was  celebrated  at  Rand’s  Hall.  The  historical  address  was 
prepared  and  read  by  George  Gould,  Esq.  He  alluded  to  the  old  “ Troy 
Library,”  containing  from  600  to  700  volumes,  as  being  a source  of 
intellectual  acquirements  to  the  former  generations  of  Trojans,  and 
stated  that  this  Library  was  founded  in  A.  D.  1800,  by  the  principal 
citizens  of  Troy,  and  that  Mr.  Zephaniali  Filer,  father  of  Mr.  H.  P. 

Filer,  was  its  first  librarian.  He  alluded  very  feelingly  to  the  breaches  ^ 

that  death  had  made  in  the  ranks  of  those  who  had  served  the  Asso- 
ciation officially.  Mr.  B.  H.  Hall  read  letters  from  Amos  Dean,  Dr. 

Horatio  Potter,  Thaddeus  B.  Bigelow,  Charles  Read  and  Joseph  S. 

White,  stating  that  they  were  unable  to  be  present  at  the  anniversary.  ^ 

The  occasion  closed  with  an  address  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Halley,  who  dwelt 
especially  upon  the  benefits  to  be  obtained  from  the  Association 
Library. 


15 


In  1855,  the  Executive  Committee  received  a proposition  from  the 
Troy  Lyceum,  offering  to  transfer,  under  certain  restrictions,  their 
valuable  collection  to  the  Young  Men’s  Association.  This  proposition 
being  referred  to  a special  committee,  they  reported  that  “ they  did 
not  feel  warranted  in  accepting  it  under  the  present  condition  of  their 
finances.” 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  in  the  history  of  the  Association  in 
1856.  It  is  worthy  of  mention,  however,  that  during  this  year  Mrs. 
Ethelinda  Selden  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  a bond,  the 
1 interest  of  which  was  to  be  applied  to  the  purchase  of  Prof.  Agassiz’s 

Natural  History.  This  work,  complete,  is  now  the  property  of  the 
Association.  Did  all  the  Trojan  ladies  who  have  the  means , also 
possess  the  disposition , many  valuable  books  might  be  added  yearly  to 
* the  Library.  The  Debating  Society,  which  for  years  had  barely  main- 

tained an  existence,  was  discontinued  during  the  winter  of  1857,  by 
consent  of  its  members. 

The  resolution  to  change  the  price  of  membership  from  $2  to  $3, 
was  brought  to  a vote  and  resulted  in  579  yeas  and  196  nays.  The 
year  1858  was  one  of  doubt  and  anxiety  for  the  committee.  The 
country  had  just  passed  through  a financial  crisis,  leaving  business  in  a 
disorganized  state,  affecting  all  classes  and  conditions  of  citizens.  So 
dubious,  consequently,  were  the  affairs  of  the  Association,  that  its 
staunchest  friends  had  doubts  of  its  weathering  the  storm,  especially 
as  there  was  a debt  of  about  $650  (which  had  been  accumulating  for 
several  years)  standing  grim  and  stern  in  the  path  of  its  progress. 
Hence  a scheme  was  devised,  and  a committee,  consisting  of  some 
members  of  the  Board,  in  association  with  several  other  gentlemen, 
were  appointed  to  solicit  the  loan  of  paintings,  sculptures,  engravings, 
and  other  works  of  art,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  Art  Exhibition 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Association.  This  committee,  by  unusual  exer- 
tion, succeeded  in  obtaining  the  loan  of  about  200  paintings  and 
marbles.  The  exhibition  opened  February  18tli,  and  closed  March 
27th,  realizing,  net,  the  sum  of  $504.78. 

The  Debating  Society  was  resurrected  and  has  continued  its  sessions 
uninterruptedly  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Willard  Gay,  who  had  acted  as  Treasurer  for  thirteen  years, 
declined  a re-election,  and  Vlr.  C.  M.  Wellington  was  called  to  that 
1 position  at  the  annual  election  in  1859. 

From  the  Twenty- first  Report  we  find  that  several  new  alcoves  were 
added ; that  the  Debating  Society  was  in  a flourishing  condition  ; and 
that  another  art  exhibition  had  been  held,  of  pictures  obtained  from 
Troy,  New  York,  Albany,  Philadelphia,  New  Haven,  and  other  places. 
Net  profits,  $212.72.  There  was  also  obtained,  by  private  subscription, 
the  sum  of  $370  for  the  purchase  of  two  pictures,  one  by  C.  T.  Dix  of 
New  York,  and  the  other  by  A.  B.  Durand.  The  receipts  of  the  exlii- 


16 


bition  were  voted  to  be  expended  for  two  additional  pictures,  one  by 
Wm.  Hart,  and  one  by  S.  R.  Gifford.  During  this  year  a complete 
catalogue  of  the  books  of  the  Library  (numbering  12,067  volumes)  was 
made  by  Messrs.  B.  H.  Hall  and  Charles  L.  Alden. 

The  Report  of  the  committee  for  1859  closes  by  saying,  that  “ your 
Association  is  now  on  a basis  where  nothing  but  reckless  mismanage- 
ment or  rancorous  and  partizan  j ealousies  can  disturb  it.” 

Another  exhibition  was  held  in  1860-1,  resulting  in  net  profits  to 
the  amount  of  $216.51  ; also  private  subscriptions  amounting  to  $615. 

With  the  funds  already  accumulated  from  these  sources  were  purchased  ^ 

the  following  pieces,  which  now  hang  upon  the  walls  of  the  Reading 
Room,  viz : ‘ The  Coming  Rain,’  by  S.  R.  Gifford  ; * A Showery  Day 
among  the  Mountains/  by  A.  B.  Durand  ; ‘ A Coast  Scene/  by  C.  D. 

Dix ; ‘ Autumn,’  by  J.  F.  Kensett ; ‘ Study  from  Life,  Down  East,’  ^ 

by  Eastman  Johnson;  ‘Autumn  in  the  Walkill  Valley/  by  J.  C. 

McEntee;  ‘ The  First  Snow,’  by  William  Hart ; ‘ The  Lunch/  by  C.  V. 

Blauvelt ; ‘Trout  Fishing,’  by  D.  W.  C.  Boutelle ; ‘Red  Hook  Point,’ 
by  A.  W.  Warren ; ‘ Catskill  Mountains,’  by  C.  H.  Moore ; ‘ Portrait 
of  General  Wool,’  by  Mr.  Conant  ; ‘ II  Penseroso  ’ (marble),  by  L. 
[^Thompson. 

In  1862  the  Association  became  the  recipient  eta  fine  bequest  from 
Mr.  Wm.  R.  Yourt.  This  bequest  consisted  of  $5,000  ; $3,000  of  which 
was,  by  direction  of  his  will,  expended  in  books,  chiefly  historical,  un- 
der the  direction  of  C.  L.  Alden  and  John  Yourt,  his  executors.  The 
remaining  $2,000  were  to  be  invested  in  good  securities  and  the  interest 
applied  to  making  additions  to  the  Alcove  called  after  Mr.  Yourt’s  name. 

The  above  named  gentlemen  associated  with  themselves  Mr.  B.  H.  Hall, 
whose  experience  in  the  selection  of  books  was  a sufficient  guarantee  of 
their  value,  and  in  a few  months  nearly  two  thousand  volumes  were 
placed  upon  the  shelves  of  the  “ Yourt  Alcove.”  The  same  year  Mr. 

Geo.  M.  Selden  presented  to  the  Association  two  thousand  dollars  in 

railroad  stock,  to  be  applied  as  follows  : “ (Tmfjialf  of  the  "dividends 

received  thereupon  was  to  be  expended  in  the  purchase  of  paintings 

and  other  works  of  art  ; and  the  remaining  one  half  to  the  purchase  of 

tickets  of  life  membership  of  the  Association  at  $30  each  ; said  tickets 

to  be  issued  as  a reward  of  merit  to  such  scholars  of  the  High  School 

of  the  city  of  Troy,  both  male  and  female,  as  may  be  designated  by  the 

Board  of  Education  of  said  city,  or  their  appropriate  committee;  it  A 

being  understood  that  said  stock  shall  not  be  transferred  or  sold  by  said 

Troy  Young  Men’s  Association.”  No  dividends  have  yet  been  received 

from  this  stock. 

In  1863  bound  files  of  the  Northern  Budget  were  purchased.  The 
lecture  course  was  self-sustaining. 

In  March,  1864,  Mr.  H.  P.  Filer,  being  admonished  by  failing  health 
to  husband  the  vital  power  which  nature  had  given  him,  sent  in  his 


17 


resignation,  to  take  effect  May  1st.  This  resignation  was  reluctantly 
accepted  by  the  committee.  Thus,  after  a faithful  service  of  eighteen 
years,  Mr.  Filer  severed  his  official  connection  with  the  institution  which 
had  grown  to  strength  and  maturity  under  his  watchful  and  fostering 
care,  yet  without  losing  in  any  degree  his  interest  in  its  prosperity. 
Relieved  from  the  perplexities  and  burdens  of  his  office,  Mr.  F.  seems 
to  have  renewed  his  youth,  and  his  genial  countenance  is  to  be  seen 
almost  daily  in  the  rooms  which,  for  so  many  years,  were  his  home. 
Long  may  he  he  spared,  and  when  his  feet  shall  touch  the  “ farther 
shore,”  may  the  verdict  there,  as  well  as  here,  he,  “ Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant.” 

Mr.  Filer  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  T.  B.  Heimstreet. 

On  account  of  the  war,  the  membership  of  the  years  1861-64  fell 
considerably  below  that  of  the  previous  years. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  1865,  Mr.  T.  B.  Heimstreet  resigned,  and 
on  the  25th  of  the  same  month  of  that  year  Mr.  F.  H.  Stevens  was 
called  to  succeed  him.  In  the  meantime  that  veteran  Assistant  Libra- 
rian of  three  dynasties,  Mr.  J.  T.  Fonda,  performed  the  duties  pertain- 
ing to  the  office. 

The  report  of  this  year  dwells  at  considerable  length  upon  the 
necessity  of  erecting  a new  building  for  the  uses  of  the  Association. 
The  result  of  this  was  that  early  in  1866,  a committee  was  appointed  to 
solicit  funds  for  that  purpose.  They  met  with  but  little  success.  The 
people  pleaded  increased  taxation  and  other  expenses  as  their  excuse 
for  not  subscribing,  so  that  the  committee  reluctantly  yielded  to  the 
necessity  of  giving  up  the  project  for  the  time.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  income  tax  will  be  removed  by  Congressional  action  this  winter. 
Should  such  be  the  case,  will  not  the  citizens  of  Troy  voluntarily  con- 
sent to  devote  the  amount  of  that  tax  for  one  year  to  the  purpose  of 
erecting  a building  for  the  Association,  which  shall  be  an  honor  to  the 
city,  and  the  pride  of  her  inhabitants  ? 

A supplementary  catalogue  was  prepared  this  year,  containing  about 
5,000  additional  names  of  books  ; the  Yourt  books  were  put  into  cir- 
culation ; and  a change  made  in  the  by-laws  of  the  Association,  separa- 
ting the  membership  to  the  Library  and  Reading  Room  from  the  Lec- 
ture course.  Hitherto  the  price  of  membership,  including  lecture 
course,  had  been  $8.  Under  the  new  rule,  $3  each  are  charged  for 
membership,  and  Lectures  separate  ; $4,  if  both  are  taken  by  one  per- 
son. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1865,  Mr.  Charles  A.  Holmes  sent  in  his 
resignation  of  the  office  of  President,  and  at  a regular  meeting  of  the 
Executive  Board,  February  23d,  Mr.  Clarence  Willard  was  elected  to 
the  vacancy. 


3 


18 


Three  deaths  occurred  among  the  officers  and  active  members  in 
1866,  viz : Charles  Gr.  Wilson,  Secretary  of  the  Debating  Society,  and 
Win.  A.  Beach,  Jr.,  and  James  S.  Thorn,  two  of  its  ablest  and  brightest 
debaters. 

At  the  close  of  1867  the  Association  was  found  to  be  in  debt  about 
$647,  which  hung  as  a dead  weight  upon  its  progress. 

In  1868,  by  rigid  economy,  a part  of  this  debt  was  paid,  though  the 
number  of  members  was  less  than  that  of  the  preceding  year.  Hence, 
but  few  books  were  added  to  the  Library.  Thus  the  Library  is  a sort  of 
“ scape  goat,”  upon  which  is  visited  the  sins  of  neglect  and  indifference 
manifested  towards  the  Association  by  the  citizens  of  Troy.  All  expenses 
are  to  be  met  first ; then,  if  there  is  a balance  over,  it  may  be  used  for 
the  purchase  of  books.  If  there  is  no  balance  over,  there  can  be  no 
additions  to  the  Library.  Therefore,  we  earnestly  appeal  to  you  to  raise 
a “ Library  Fund,”  which  shall  place  beyond  any  fortuitous  circum- 
stances the  regular  annual  increase  of  this  department.  Let  each  one  at 
all  interested  in  the  success  of  our  beloved  institution,  consider  it  a privi- 
lege to  contribute  from  $1  to  $100  each,  payable  in  whole  or  in  quar- 
terly installments,  to  place  the  Library  of  the  Young  Men’s  Association 
upon  a firm  financial  basis. 

In  June,  1868,  Mr.  Gr.  M.  Tibbits  manifested  his  kind  regard  for  the 
Association  by  the  presentation  of  a fine  br.  nze  statuette  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  This  work  of  art  was  obtained  by  Mr.  T.  in  Munich,  during 
his  travels  abroad  last  year.  It  is  a reduced  copy  of  a iarger  one,  cast 
for  the  city  of  Chicago.  It  is  about  two  feet  eleven  inches  high  ; and 
standing  upon  a neat  pedestal  three  and-a-lialf  feet  above  the  floor, 
forms  a very  suitable  ornament  to  the  Library. 

The  year  1869  opened  with  the  largest  membership  since  1859.  Quite 
a number  of  books  have  been  added,  and  the  general  condition  of  the 
Association  is  very  flattering.  Let  it  not  be  forgotten,  however,  that 
its  prosperity  is  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  its  membership,  and 
whenever  that  membership  shall,  from  any  cause,  be  reduced,  the  pro- 
gress of  the  institution  will  be  correspondingly  retarded. 


i 


19 


f 

I 


* 


b 


M3 

00 

MD 

Ph 

M-i 

PP 


- JS  -Sfeg.s  - . 

ft  ® 02  ^ 0 © S H — -rrrt  fl 


5 - - -ft  ® 

© +f +D'_lj'r®  ^ ^ ft  , 

i.  ft  -©©©g<g<g-Plfto 

H*£mnwlS;t^d-g^-3’3-3  a s^wpiSpft 


>> 

-o 

'O  QQ 


a .g  02  w 5;  au  .ft  ftft  0 ft  CQ 

- -I^HigSBPCJsSSg” 

ajai^i?4jr„»So03r-^  • ^ fc  b ^ ^ 

9 S^cq  SSfSrs  SHP  .O.  ■ 3 


Ipq^^^SS^W^id^aj!  a'd^M^W 


- ^2 

is  is 

J3  g fl-e 

p^lw 

«'wm£ 


g 03  gO  ' J ^ ^ Q oS  <-"T»  0(2  > 3 ^ ^ H 

6ftft<i<4<ipppftMdMKMM'M'M'M'M6d<i^p;i:pMN 


^E-<  ft 


•§3S* 

ftOMP 


<X> 


8L 

OOt 

"©  '3 ' 


-§  o 


a - - >< 
o c h ft 

ft  r O O O ..  - 


ft©©  - ►»  fta'S 

fi  r1  r1  m Oc-^^SH 

a .a-|!  J!la|P 

"333  S^.mw  oflg  8 

ww®*^  o^ok^bh«  aagjwo*  &§  s^Sk  s 

MM  3^  3 oW^^MMmW^  O SPcDWd^  3m  §g£ 

• • p£3  • o o . q q . . • • • • *^0^ 

OOOft'M00£ftft«iOfta2ftO0M5MMMa£MftMftOMft 


^ I«1  ll-c-a|l  .>£.** 

;OOSMM3t!i3&EHc-  • 


0 

© - -ft 

<?  >x  S 

5 « s a 

gMWM 


0P 


OQ 

GO 


[V] 

Pd 


-£  O'5©  8 6 ^ s ft 

-J  "3  2 “3  © S m ^ --§  &S  _r  g ® 

■p^gwWoDWSM^SoQ®  og«'So^ 


rtT  r**5 


o 

3 3 - 


e>3 


Pd 

Pd 

Eh 


OQ 

Pd 


Eh 

go 


<3  sC  S o no  aS  Bag  a &o  g |«  |u;  SSI  1 Sad  &§1& 

MM  SmW  IhM^ lop^S 


|M.a  « S 3 3 SPM.Srt  3m  i.  MPh  ©<jl 

3 , m|.**  * 3d-C-  gwwx«:  ^-1 


2.2®agac^Wg.2o®or 

MM^^MMMMo2.Hs'MOMMM^^WMdplS^^<jt?§W<iM^ 


•ad’s 

dj  (D  T-» 
£® 

1^2 
M-©  "S  a 
M 3ft  £ 

• ft  Oft 

MOPhM 


© © 

Is 


_c3 

a 3 

o © 
SO  ® 

ba  © 

a oa 
PMP 


© 

ft 

.o  - 
5tSn 

ft  © © 

:e£S 
© "2  -2 
poo 

03  .rt  .ph 

6pm 


ofeflSWo  S n.- bc'Si'S"'^ k; ft  §3  -3 
2 • Sta-d  § -a  g^s  g 3 3 '-©d^  § « 

-S^JfM  3°  © 5 8-g ' o g66^3.S  §0Q  t/T^r 

. >.  -ftMft  «K,  C©w..<dsHft  . © • 


a'B  $ 


ism-w 


.M-; 


4 * ^l,]1 — ' ^ i — i Pj 

'a  3^^  ©M^'^QftOgP^ftQp  ^eq 

3.2  S'-  K-  . . rto  ■ © & • . Id  Si- 
ft a o^.«o  a°M  1 33^  3m  s° 
. ® s ® 5 ® . . • . tP td  ■3©^  .oa>  - otP 


«tf,2  5®  S 

ro  § 


g !h  PH 

03  O Pi 

rt  © © 

OOP 


© 

^ s S-* 

Hg 

•2g°.  3 
SMM-3 
^bW 


ft  a 


o sh 

a d s 

ftftp 
© S c3 
co°ft 


t»  Oft 
03  © o 

POb 


o » 
ft-aM 
M © . 
£3  ©t 

Is. 

^Ja 

HbO 


fi  fi  fl 

ng®®  r 


.HS 


i^lfefii||l 


02 


ftft  o «*  S'©  0&R  « S o<t!a:S^n’.S  > 02  ph 
8loWWS5|0.^OtHqg^w-h4®^«©-| 

2-ff  oiglgriM  1>m5  a 1°^  o Ss5  ®«w 


a © 

g Pi 
®ft  © 

III 


® © g aa 

a ft  S © 

© © . . 
0MPP 


* Resigned  February  23d,  1865,  and  Mr.  Clarence  Willard  elected  to  fill  vacancy. 


MANAGERS 


20 


- bC  tf 

g a^  - t'rr*H 


... 

Bo^M^’a.a- J J.2^  SWtfKPi  gpq^  | gbbW  S^S.g«C»aD 


t a-d 


E^'.Sftd®  5 

^ . in  'o  S 


Sh  « 

>-3  > 

n=3-  „ „ s.o^r.QV  .. 

S S 9 9^ 

loooaaaaao 


&S&S 

„a  a 


2 9'3'S'S  fl  a « 9 9^  .ass 
SS""“°oooo®^goo 

'S.s.s.sfis!saag3lS«w|,| 

2 § g a «*  ^^>>^02  - s 9mS 


q_t  fl  © 
s'Pft-TP  a 


g M 


a a 
cs  a 


E=  OJD  fl  „<g  » kToS  e3  H 

_ .rS^aT^gOS^OO^ 

alJllwll^Igg^ 

®fe  


1§11  g I Ja§£siie%5  1#.  || . 

-ws-jil  Il°»  lia^So^ogB  5.0-s 


EoQHHH|_|09Ve  ' ' b>^;i-i  ir-i  ■ *r* 


idWMdHOo^^i-shJi-ifc 


X .2  a al 

c3  ^3  03  d 

aga'gj 

§|.Ss1 

O^  a csnn 
aa^o 

« a pq  qq 

:HO^^  & 
bhlfl^O 


a _bcjH 

„ <t>  u bjo5> 

»2  ra  „ © o aa 


-©  — ~9  9 9 © 

r^d  £ 2 ^ ^ ^ 02 


„o  a 

S 2 ® ,2  &JDaa' 


;ooo|Iog;S 


c3  © 

..  ^ aa  .3 

o © facaa 
oaa  at> 


^iiaiiiwlpllls 


I1!  | f S«<  § s*  a-g»irilStf 


Jo^’ 

!3b’W  g 


a a 

c v © 

'T3rC 
>>►> 


Sh  to  cc  _r 

.b»»S 

>,  ,PSPjO 


5 >>  !>>^ 

g © r/f  O <D 


rd  ^ H3  o> 


g -0  33  J5  h-Sg  ««  Mjn  g bp  ^iaSS^ 

111!  g^ssisi^ni  g«“a<35II«lsii|^^ 
Ilfi  bs!l«||i|  1 l555°  s^wg  i^1 ^-g.  s s s*s 

'S^a^dOa^rtrtrtedB  2 55  2 2ffl-^i3pq_ggdF  £ g 

^£w£flW>5S3p' 


os.a  . o gaaaa  dc5ddd-2-2  • .•  • -.2  0 £*>0  0 . <3.2  • 

&&|-s-s-c-c||®°®mg  S S 3 §w|gm- 
aa-'W^SSig&PPPfefeooofi&ao*1  .x.teteM. 


◄ 
w 
I >< 


^Wcd 


iki  bo 

y 

:aB  t 
9cc  ® 

i*2 


a a > 

ss| 

gg| 

^ a <d  a 

02C0O 

.m 


32-C^-S 

■a  aa  t-i.iS  m M 


a"  m 
a 

©"5 ,8(2 

a at> 
aO 


„ >^3  o •-  q , . _ 

feB'W-gg®?  M^Opq*  £|  3ri=5o a5  a 

aei!i2^!ll^^^.S^lipiS! 


a a +? 

a a © 
a>  o>  S 
^ _ o 

+r  bfidd  a 
s-  tuo  • • © u . 

©fcj 

^a=^ 

S 


?aaaaO 


S' 8 

S a,ci.T,.2'oS  ® • ..2  ?«.S  . ..-as'  : . «"'_;  s 

1 1^  g £ §WWs  §WWPW5  2 s-g-  tf 


Managers  and  Treasurer, 


21 


« 

t 


t 


l 


TREASURER. 

Charles  E.  Seymour, 
E.  S.  Morgan, 
do  do 
do  do 

do  < o 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

Charles  P.  Heartt, 

do  do 

Willard  Gay, 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

C.  M.  Wellington, 

do  do 

John  H.  Neher, 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

do  do 

Manager. 

Lorenzo  D.  Baker, 

W.  H.  VanSchoonhoven 
Washington  Thurman, 

D.  M.  Fitch, 

John  S.  Perry, 

James  Dana, 

James  Weed, 

James  Christie, 

Hiram  Smith, 

Henry  Warren, 

Charles  Brownell, 

James  D.  Lobdell, 

Hugh  Fitzsimmons, 

G.  H.  Larcom, 

E.  A.  Meneely, 

J.  S.  Knowlson, 

J.  B.  Allen. 

R.  C.  Barton, 

F.  A.  Fales, 

L.  E.  Gurley, 

L.  Fairbanks,  Jr., 

E.  S.  MacDonald, 

Horace  Sargent, 

C.  M.  Wellington, 

Irving  Browne, 

Irving  Browne, 

H.  C.  Carpenter, 

H.  T.  Caswell, 

C.  H.  Billings, 

Joseph  J.  Hagen, 

W.  E.  Gilbert, 

W.  II.  Doughty, 

H.  S.  Sheldon, 

R.  H.  Thompson, 

Isaac  F.  Bosworth. 

Manager. 

John  S.  Perry, 

George  D.  Waldo, 

L.  H.  Tupper, 

L.  H.  Tupper, 

Stephen  Wickes, 

T.  W.  Lockwood, 

Henry  Rousseau. 
William  Hagen, 

Joseph  U.  Orvis, 
William  Buswell, 

John  A.  Pattison, 

J.  F.  Wells, 

William  Gurley, 

E.  H.  Bough  ton, 

E.  H.  Boughton, 

E.  H.  Boughton, 

E.  W.  Boughton, 

S.  B.  Janes, 

S.  B.  Janes, 

S.  B.  Janes, 

II . Woodruff, 

W.  D.  Yan  Alstyne, 

W.  L.  Van  Alstyne, 

G.  B.  Wallace, 

W.  N.  Barringer, 

Henrv  B.  Harvey, 

W.  E“  Gilbert, 

J.  L.  Harrison, 

J.  L.  Harrison, 

George  F.  Sims, 

S.  Arnold, 

William  J.  Ranken, 

J.  Spencer  Garnsey, 

S.  A.  Stevens, 

James  D.  Ford. 

Manager. 

Harvey  Warner, 

J.  H.  Whitlock, 

S.  L.  Leggett, 

E.  S.  Fuller, 

Russell  Sage, 

G.  W.  Wright, 

John  H.  Whitlock, 

John  C.  Mather, 

James  M.  Stevenson, 
Winslow  M.  Watson, 
Seth  S.  Terry, 

Cole  H.  Denio, 

John  E.  Warren, 

D.  B.  Cox, 

J.  H.  Datur, 

F.  Beebe, 

S.  Kendrick.  Jr., 

J.  B.  Tibbits, 

W.  T.  Tillman, 

William  Madden, 

A.  C.  Gunnison, 
William  H.  Young, 

B.  H.  Hall, 

B.  H.  Hall. 

0.  W.  Follin, 

A.  D.  Lyon, 

A.  D.  Lyon, 

William  S.  Searle, 

Lewis  E.  Gurley, 
William  S.  Earl, 

Fred.  P.  Allen, 

J.  M.  Hawley, 

Charles  E.  Davenport, 
W.  W.  Rousseau, 

H.  S.  Blakeman. 

Manager. 

Jared  S.  Weed, 

Charles  Gillespie, 

E.  P.  Sellick, 

John  G.  Britton, 

Elias  Gates, 

William  Barton, 
Benjamin  Hatch, 
Alanson  Cook, 

Charles  H.  Read, 

George  Redfield, 

George  Redfield. 

F.  A.  Stow, 

Joseph  White, 

Joseph  White, 

S.  G.  Doughty, 

W.  O.  Cunningham, 

E.  A.  Meneely, 

H.  C.  Lockwood, 

C,  D.  Brigham, 

H.  H.  Blanchard, 

Robert  Green, 

H.  A.  Blanchard, 
William  Gurley, 

Charles  A.  Holmes, 
James  S.  Thorn, 

John  B.  Pierson, 

John  M.  Landon, 

L.  C.  Lillie, 

L.  C.  Lillie, 

W.  W.  Rousseau, 
Andrew  Sawyer, 

James  R.  Prentice, 

C.  H.  Rogers, 

D.  W.  Ford, 

C.  E.  Patterson. 

YEAR. 

1835  

1836  

1837  

1838  

1839  

1840  

1841  

1842  

1843  

1844  

1845  

1846  

1847  

1848  

1849  

1850  

1851  

1852  

1853  

1854  

1855  

1856  

1857  

1858  

1859  

1860  

1861 

1862 

1863  

1864  

1865  

1866  

1867  

1868  

1869 

L 1ST  OF  OFFICE  R S — (Continued. 

DEBATING  SOCIETY. 


!>> 


a rw 

bD  _r  - - SJ  a 3 

a +»  • © j£3  AsJ  4)  rC 

^Scagl&'SlSII 


°s 


«2  q -r.2 


•Sfi  ^ 

°A3_- 

--Sgsll 


„'Ora  . cs  — ^ a ==  a • 

* © « §w  • g a g-gH°.  g ©«  ||  © g ScT^  §jB  « g? 

o-gpq- ^cccoo  a Sfl^ffSo  oK'gW  o 2 S 

ioWH^fcPaDH^pq^ftfeonHa^oHi^moijOShoOo  jjh 


^o  _r  5 ^ cT 

(^S  if!?  g'Sjg  O b£!  £ Ow-  „5  S - - r 

- £ i S)S  o I 2 d°;>  C H"g  iSa  .-©-  ,Q  J1  ®S’S)S1^  £ 

rf+3  54  - g - J ® ^ © bBTS  U +a  a :2  O •£  13  Ph  M 

” ,_•  a © £ Si  W • t>  "5  c/2  3 +3  A2  • a x)  > 41  m .l?-Soi^jsi3r|Wf)dr,B 

a 2d  p^PQs^®  5 s«id  od~  2 Eh  gW^wss  ©fe'-^g, 

Wa^PSPSW^fiPn^^^JPLiO^HiOhi^PSOQiJPSfioS^Hi^ftHPQH 


C O 

§S2 

111 

;Pnt> 


bd 

=3  <D 
.-M  Jj 


ER  O 
„ -Eh 

02  r* 

fcfl.5 

I « 

0g 


^ r r— T . CO  ?-t  -4J  TO 


§S£ 

.M'  jSgg 
© . w°^  BPs 


© « g ® n-hnflO  © 

I-g^S  •&.»§» I0-?--^ 

5 s~  £Afefc  sal  g ® 


3 w *iS»d!f !g|«  J S fja^lll  g^sa*** 

atf  Hv  SR^MS^W  i § SHohI  . dT  -W  -ra 


I 

■ « a ■ " 1 o . « &ic  w 1-1  g w kJ  S . H r • © a* 

Hjj  il33^!  o|h'^W«5Pqb^Ba  o^®d  gd^  g^’i^'gS 


o o 


a 

jj?d©  .a-ldl 

§^ii§!!§j£l 

bJDWr'  * 


c3  cT 


v p t-i 

g®  5 g , 

j2  a to  | a'bcg'g  > 

- © 3-g'^  > sCrj-S‘1 1 

g'S  cC MrJ1  c 35 

®^Wh  ..ap5^^§o'a0p:|Sai0(Bow©b>Hg 

f tWn  •$S“a§©©3a2°3hJ  • . S O d h B.S  O ^ « 2l7  ,.m 

w S^.n  2 g 2 g S£  g 2 o . o|^S 


02  CJ 
02  O 

•^S. 

Jr! 

a 

,fi  O Ji 
tc  ^ O 


>9?  £r  sesjS1 


l(?*S0Tt<i0CDt-0005Oi-iC»C0 


M'#  in 
ICO  lO  lO 


to  t-  00  05  O 1 


23 


GENERAL  STATEMENT  OF  FINANCES 

FROM  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


YEAR. 

GENERAL  FINANCES. 

MEMBERS. 

LIBRARY 

VOLS. 

Life 

Membership 

Fund. 

Life 

Membership 

Library 

Fund. 

Receipts. 

Disburse- 

ments. 

Life. 

Regular. 

Total. 

Additions. 

Total. 

1835 

$2,846  00 

$1,825  79 

33 

443  ; 

476 

1222 

1836 

~2'l24  66 

2,340  52 

35 

486 

521 

200 

1400 

1837 

1,654  64 

1,487  95 

35 

573 

608 

100 

1500 

1838 

1,901  58 

2,156  14 

38 

508 

546 

.300 

1800 

1839 

1,544  64 

1,654  94 

38 

565 

603 

300 

2100 

1840 

1,482  75 

1,657  15 

38 

488 

526 

100 

2200 

$671  00 

1841 

1,816  58 

1,735  06 

38 

563 

601 

50 

2250 

1,650  00 

1842 

1,490  27 

1,412  22 

38 

495 

533 

50 

2300 

1,650  00 

1843 

1,054  09 

1,338  74 

38 

351 

389 

1,650  00 

1844 

1,445  02 

1,483  73 

47 

517 

564 

1 2400 

1,650  00 

1845 

1,485  11 

1,347  05 

47 

583 

630 

107 

! 2507 

1,650  00 

1846 

1,768  95 

1,839  1 7 

48 

641 

689 

130 

2637 

1,650  90 

1847 

2,043  84 

2,060  87 

48 

697 

745 

203 

2840 

1,650  00 

1848 

2,037  08 

2,083  52 

48 

776 

824 

531 

3371 

1,695  00 

1849 

1 775  07 

1,775  55 

48 

712 

760 

343 

3714 

1,695  00 

1850 

2,092  65 

2,086  29 

49 

883 

932 

347 

4061 

1,685  00 

1851 

2,457  72 

2,434  20 

§129 

1026 

1155 

738 

4799 

1,680  00 

$1,260  00 

1852 

2,953  98 

2,968  86 

§130 

1283 

1413 

557 

5356 

1,680  00 

825  00 

1853 

6,198  91 

6,152  83 

§131 

2920 

3051 

2750 

8106 

1,680  00 

745  00 

1854 

2,893  87 

2,930  20 

1006 

461 

8567 

1,680  00 

1,020  00 

1855 

3,080  27 

3,025  10 

”95 

1105 

1200 

598 

9165 

1,680  00 

670  fclu 

1856 

3,005  22 

3,745  87 

95 

983 

1078 

240 

9405 

1,680  00 

60  10 

1857 

2.913  32 

3,095  58 

95 

1014 

1109 

241 

9646 

1,680  00 

73  10 

1858 

3,880  13 

3,816  59 

95 

933 

1028 

393 

10039 

1.680  00 

10  00 

1859 

6,863  91 

6,846  76 

97 

2076 

2173 

2028 

12067 

1,600  00 

1860 

4.596  38 

4,573  53 

97 

1126 

1223 

913 

12980 

1,600  00 

1861 

3,656  03 

3,643  52 

97 

950 

1047 

315 

13295 

1,600  00 

1862 

2,877  69 

2,840  22 

97 

617 

714 

254 

13549 

1,600  00 

1863 

4,194  89 

4,096  21 

97 

967 

1064 

533 

14082 

1,600  00 

1864 

5,684  25 

5,583  37 

82 

1324 

1406 

*959 

15041 

1,600  00 

1865 

5,461  86 

5,363  98 

84 

1281 

1365 

+2082 

17123 

1,600  00 

1866 

5,891  67 

6,064  67 

1522 

505 

17628 

1,609  00 

1867 

*5.456  76 

6,103  90 

1361 

292 

17920 

1,600  00 

1868 

5.266  36 

5,820  31 

1128 

319 

18239 

1,600  00 

1869 

1508 

18649 

* 219  taken  in  trust. 


1 1695  added  to  Yourt  Alcove. 

% Not  including  the  interest  on  the  Yourt  Fund. 

§ Including  subscribers  to  Life  Membership  Library  Fund. 


LIBRARIANS  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION 

FROM  ITS  ORGANIZATION  IN  1835  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


NAME. 

When  Elected. 

When  Resigned. 

William  Hagen 

N.  B.  Milliman 

George  H.  Ball 

John  R.  Harris 

John  H.  White 

William  Robertson . . . 

Henry  P.  Filer 

T.  B.  Heimstreet  

F.  H.  Stevens 

January  6th,  1835 

February  4th,  1841 . . . 

July  15th,  1841 

August  11th,  1842 

August  15th,  1844 

October  2d,  1845 

June  4th,  1846 

May  1st,  1864 

September  25th,  1865 

February  4th,  1841. 

July  15th,  1841. 

August  8th,  1842. 
August  15th,  1844. 
September  15th,  1845. 
Superseded. 

May  1st,  1864. 
September  1st,  1865. 

